PMMA Test Method

Firman Muttaqin

Transmittance (ASTM
D1003)

The transmittance value of a polymer is a key indicator of

transparency. The more light that is able to pass through a
material, the greater the transmittance value, hence the
higher level of transparency

Haze (ASTM D1003-95)

Haze is a term used to define the cloudiness of a material caused by scattering of
light. This effect can be influenced by the presence of elements within the polymer
such as pigment particles and additives. Furthermore, the haze value may be
affected by the presence of foreign bodies on the surface of the part, for example
dust, sand or grease. Haze is a key characteristic when determining the suitability
of a transparent polymer in applications such as lenses, lighting, drinks bottles and
food containers.
Haze is measured as the
relative percentage of light
that is scattered more than
2.5 from the direction of
the incident light beam.
Materials with haze values
greater than 30% are
considered to be lightdiffusing polymers. These
are frequently used in LED
lens applications.

Haze

Clarity

Refractive Index (ISO 489/ASTM

D524)

The refractive index is the ratio of the velocity of light in a vacuum

to the velocity of light in a transparent material. This index figure
can be used to calculate the bending radius of a beam of light as it
passes from one transparent object to another. The refractive
index is a key performance indicator in the design of optical
lenses. It is similarly used as a quality control measure in the
manufacturing specification for transparent polymers.

Gloss (ASTM D523-89)

Gloss is an optical property describing the ability of a surface to reflect light
into the specular direction. The factors that affect gloss are the refractive index
of the material, the angle of incident light and the surface topography.
Gloss is one of the factors that describe the visual appearance of an object.
Materials with smooth surfaces appear glossy. Very rough surfaces reflect no
specular light and appear dull. Gloss may be expressed similarly as lustre or
sheen in certain fields of application.

Heat Deflection Temperature

ASTM D648, ISO 75
Scope:
Heat deflection temperature is defined as the temperature at which a standard
test bar deflects a specified distance under a load. It is used to determine shortterm heat resistance. It distinguishes between materials that are able to
sustain light loads at high temperatures and those that lose rigidity
over
a narrow temperature range.
Test Procedure:
1) The bars are placed under the deflection
measuring device.
2) A load of 0.45 MPa or 1.80 MPa is placed on
each specimen.
3) The specimens are then lowered into a
silicone oil bath where the temperature is
raised at 2 C per minute until they deflect
0.25 mm for ASTM, 0.32 mm for ISO flatwise,
and 0.34 mm for ISO edgewise.
Specimen size:
ASTM usesa standard bar 5" x " x ". ISO
edgewise testing uses a bar 120mm x 10mm x
4mm. ISO flatwise testing uses a bar 80mm x
10mm x 4mm.
Data:
Temperature at the specified load and
deflection.

Heat distortion temperature test method